The Disabled Motorists Federation

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ads4aquid.Com http://www.freewebs.com/dmfed/whatsnew.htm  New Website Will Help With Funding A new website www.ads4aquid.com was launched on 3rd February which will enable members of the DMF, their families and friends to raise revenue for the Federation. Use of the site costs £1. You will be able to sell your belongings through appropriate pre-selected post code areas, for each item sold the Federation, or associated organizations will receive a donation of approx. 20p. Also at the end of each month a charity will be selected at random to receive a further donation from the proceeds made that month. This website is also aimed at the business and trade advertisers. WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS THE SITE WILL BE PROMOTED TO A DATABASE OF APPROXIMATELY 20,000,000 IN THE UK There is a small monthly charge of £10 per 28 day minimum contract period made to any charitable organization using the website. It is hoped that in order to increase usage of the website and therefore greater sales, each organization registering will install banner links on the home page of their websites. If charities choose to make use of the website for short contract periods, then they will  be able to promote specific events such as Summer Fairs etc. Members of the DMF who may not have direct access to the internet can tell their friends and families to use the facility, as each time they do so they will be helping us to raise much needed revenue. Reps. from any charitable or commercial organization wishing to use the site will need to contact me in the first instance on 07774 405734 in order to be given a unique user's reference code.  Peter Lyne.

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Stop Hate UK has been shortlisted as one of 3 charities in the Yorkshire and Humber region to win £5,000 in the TalkTalk Digital Heroes awards.

But in order to win, and to have a chance at winning the £10,000 grand prize, we need your support. You can vote for us at http://www.talktalk.co.uk/we-love-the-web/digital-heroes/yorkshire-and-humberside - there’s no form to fill in, all it takes is the click of a button.

Stop Hate UK has run a 24-hour helpline since 2006, and so far over 3,000 callers have been supported. From November 2009 it will become even easier to report Hate Crime, when we will make it possible to report by text, email, web-chat and online.

If Stop Hate UK is lucky enough to win the £5,000 regional prize, or £10,000 grand prize, the money would be used to raise greater awareness of Hate Crime, and support more victims. We could work with victims to produce a film explaining what Hate Crime is, how it affected them, and how people can get support. We could translate our website into different languages, so that people who need support but have limited understanding of English can find out about it more easily. We could continue to develop the ways people can report Hate Crime, giving choice, confidentiality, and an alternative to reporting to the Police for people who are too scared to go directly to them.

TalkTalk, with Citizens Online, run the annual awards to celebrate people who use digital technology to bring about positive social change. Once the public have chosen the finalists from 12 regions across the UK , a judging panel will choose one charity to win a grand prize of £10,000.

To show your support for stopping Hate Crime, visit http://www.talktalk.co.uk/we-love-the-web/digital-heroes/yorkshire-and-humberside to vote for Che Bishop at Stop Hate UK . You just need to click a button on the page theres no form to fill in, and you dont have to register your details. Voting closes on Friday 23rd October 2009.

For further information about Stop Hate UK , visit www.stophateuk.org or email info@stophateuk.org . To report a Hate Crime and get support 24-hours a day, call the Stop Hate Line on 0800 138 1635.

 

Service Call

One of the other sides of Autochair.

 

I suppose most of us know Autochair as the company that makes those very handy rooftop boxes into which your wheelchair disappears at the touch of a button (Of course I go and get the one car they cannot fit it to, the Skoda Fabia!). But Autochair does one or two other things. For instance, now that every petrol station is self service, how are those in wheelchairs and some of the others who have not quite made it, supposed to fill up if their carer isn’t around?  Well your answer could be Service Call, an Autochair subsidiary.

The system works like this:- For £14.95 you get a small infra-red transmitter which you aim at the receiver placed in all participating businesses windows, that is petrol stations, banks, supermarkets, shops, etc. This activates a bleeper indicating that assistance is required, which the assistant can only cancel by coming and serving you. Neat? Ok. sounds great, but is your local garage, bank etc on the system? Well if not, the company will give you a set of leaflets explaining the system that you can hand to the manager. You will also get a map showing where all presently equipped establishments are thus making good business sense for the manager to enter the system. Now, if this sounds like the answer to all your problems why not find out more by ringing Service Call on 0845 6046610

 

Incidentally, Autochair also do a range of other things like push pull hand controls, left hand foot pedals called ‘Smart Twin Flip’ and ‘Smart Steer’ which replaces the usual steering wheel ball with an aircraft stick-type pad that operates the indicators, lights etc. ring Autochair on  0800 214045.

John Killick    

Dropped Kerb Enforcement

 

During the spring the government past laws to enforce drivers not to park across dropped kerbs. Unfortunately they left it up to individual councils to enforce these laws. Many still haven’t done so! We are therefore going to list here the ones that we have been informed have. This is in part so that you will not get clamped, and partly to show you which council are looking after the interests of disabled people and people using baby buggies. Should your council be enforcing these laws and are not included then please advise so that we can up date this list.

 

Hart

Manchester

Portsmouth

Salford

Stockton

Parking on Pavements & Dropped Kerbs.

By John Killick (Hon. Sec. Disabled Motorists Federation)

 

It may seem to some people that abandoning their car wherever they see fit is perfectly all right. “After all, isn’t that pavement right outside my house?” Or, “So I’ve got to park someplace!”  Two excuses that I bet every police officer who has ever tried to stop thoughtless idiots from blocking pavements or dropped kerbs has heard a thousand times. So let’s see why I and a lot of other people are getting so upset about this modern trait. Let’s start with parking half on the pavement.

 

Many of Britain’s roads were built in the days of the horse and cart, as were the pavements. The result is the council have been forced to make the roads as wide as possible for the big 4 x 4’s a lot of people insist on driving. Since the only land they have to do this is the pavement, so they have had to narrow the pavement as far as possible. In order not to block the road, and because people are too lazy to open the gate and park on the drive, they park half way onto the already narrow pavement. Some poor old Joe arrives with his mobility scooter. The only way he can continue now is to go out onto the road (assuming that is possible)…. Splat! No more poor old Joe! Funny, perhaps, if you aren’t poor old Joe! Of course, poor old Joe could be young Fanny with her baby, your grandchild, in a push chair! Are you still laughing? Before parking on the pavement please think of others. An average baby buggy requires about two foot six to get past, a disabled scooter might need three feet or more. Please make sure you have left at least this much space, after all, you are also disabled. How would you feel if it was your next door neighbour who had done this to you?

 

Now those dropped kerbs that every wheelchair user finds so exciting on the bum! They have several uses, the first being those bumpy bits that tickle the backside. They are there so that blind people know that they have arrived at a dropped kerb and can cross at this point. Bang, his white stick has just done £500 worth of re-spray damage to your paintwork. More likely though he just walks straight into your car! The next thing you will notice about that kerb is that it gives, assuming it was correctly installed, level access to the road for wheelchairs, scooters and buggies. Mums with buggies may be able, with a little bad language about your thoughtlessness, to bump the buggy off the pavement and walk round. Your fellow disabled person either has to wait for you to return or look for another dropped kerb. Ask yourself, “How would I feel?”

 

 

 

Accessible Britain

A rough guide to accessible Britain

Free from Motability for Blue Badge Holders

 

This guide is presented in a similar manner to the Scottish Tourist Boards guide to accessible Scotland or the National Trusts Guides. It is easy to follow, in A5 format (fits into pocket or handbag) and gives over 175 accessible suggestions for places to visit around the UK.

 

The sort of places mentioned are:-

 

Museums and Galleries

Heritage Centres

Family fun animals and wild life

Parks and Gardens

Cities towns and coastal attractions

Sports and outdoor activities

 

Scenic journeys and walks.

 

For each location you will find:-

 

Wheelchair accessibility

Guide Dogs allowed                 

Facilities for visually impaired and blind people

Facilities for mobility impaired people

Accessible toilets

Accessible parking

Powered scooter availability

BSL interpreters

 

To obtain your copy visit www.accessibleguide.co.uk or ring 0800 9537070 quoting MO254

Please allow 21 days for delivery and note that freepost is only available within the UK. Persons not in position of a Blue Badge can receive a copy for the cost of £6.99

UK Biobank aims to study how the the health of 500,000 people, currently aged 40 to 69, from all around the UK is affected by their lifestyle, environment and genes. The purpose of this major project is to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of illnesses (such as cancer,heart disease, diabetes,dementia and joint problems) and to promote health throughout society.  

 

By analysing answers,measurements and samples collected from participants, researchers may be able to work out why some people develop particular diseases while others do not.

 

This should help us to find new ways to prevent early death and disability from many different diseases.

 

Like giving blood for transfusions,UK Biobank is  not intended to help directly those who take part---but it should give future generations a much better chance of living their lives free of diseases that disable and kill.

 

www.ukbiobank.ac.uk

 

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Metro bosses could soon partially lift a ban on mobility scooters on the Tyne and Wear service.

The vehicles were banned last August unless accompanied by helpers after two serious accidents when two travelers ended up on train tracks. Now Nexus, which runs the service, is introducing a safety training course for scooter users. It also said it was "hopeful" some types of scooter could be allowed on Metro trains later this year.

The ban does not cover manual and powered wheelchairs.

'Controlled conditions'

Bernard Garner, Director General of Nexus, said the use of different types of scooter on the service was being reviewed.  He said "progress to date would suggest it may be possible to allow people to use some types of scooter on Metro in future, under controlled conditions".  Mr Garner added that it was a priority for the staff involved but could take another three to four months.

Last year, an elderly woman on a mobility scooter crashed through train doors and onto the Metro track after boarding a train at Brockley Whins station, South Tyneside.  The woman suffered bruising, but was not seriously hurt.

 

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£60 bonus also applies to Carer’s

 

The Chancellor announced  that pensioners would get a bonus of £60, however it has become clear that this also applies to carers in receipt of Carer's Allowance and some other benefits. Full details are on the Carers website

Website

 

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It has been confirmed by Royal Mail that the Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam: 

A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service)suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and  that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number).      

 DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize. 
 
If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £15 for the phone call. 
 
If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 02072396655 or ICSTIS (the premium rate service regulator) at :

Website

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 This would appear to be a great idea, after all, how many older people like myself have not used public transport in many a long year, and how many, again like me, would not have the first idea how too.

 

John Killick

Hon. Sec. Disabled Motorists Federation

The Wirral Travel Team was reformed in April 2007 previously known as the Neighbourhood Travel Team and part of a charitable organisation known as the PSL Group (Pentra Services Ltd) based at Waterloo Buildings Birkenhead.

 

We were set up to promote social inclusion by helping the residents of Wirral to overcome their transport barriers and enabling them to travel around their community and better links to employment, education and health.

 

Our dedicated team of 8 advisors can offer free travel advice to all Wirral residents, we can compile personal journey plans to offer you the best route via public transport, and information on other local transport initiatives, such as the Work wise Scooter scheme, travel Pass scheme, and  Dial a link (Direct Response Service)

 

We attend many venues across the Wirral; these include Job Centres, training providers, Libraries, Community Groups, hospitals, Age concern, we are more than  happy to attend local events and can be booked for Jobfairs, open days, launches etc.

 

We have partners such as the PCT Wirral Borough Council and links with many agencies across the Wirral to ensure information is freely available to all and happy to promote the services of partners to disseminate their information in relation to Travelling on Merseyside.

 

Since our reformation we have engaged with over 6,000 local residents and produced over 3,000 journey plans.

We promote local events and points of interest and also encourage healthy options of travel i.e. cycle and walking by providing cycle maps and calorie maps.

 

We have now introduced a Travel training scheme in partnership with Wirral Borough Council offering support to a wide range of individuals who, because of their lack of knowledge, skills and confidence, are unable to plan and undertake a journey by public transport independently. This includes road safety, personal safety and journey planning.

 

We can also offer local employers free support if they would like to achieve a better environmental image, by offering free travel advice to their employees so staff can make informed choices on modes of transport to get to work, helping to reduce the single car usage and also financial savings through more effective management of business travel.

As for the local area the information and advice we provide will help towards reducing congestion, improved public transport, a better environment for pedestrians and cyclists and less pollution.

 

You can contact the Team on 0800 389 6535 or visit us at one our many venues across Wirral, please contact Sam or the team for further details.

Website

 

 

 

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18 out of 20 Premiership football clubs are failing to provide enough spaces for disabled fans, while also increasing the prices of disabled season tickets, according to research by the Liberal Democrats.

The research shows that:-

Only two Premiership clubs out of 20 meet the government guidelines for the provision of disabled spaces in stadiums.

One third of Premiership clubs have less than half the recommended number of spaces

Premiership clubs have added only 19 new spaces this summer, despite a shortfall of almost 1,500

Season ticket prices for disabled fans have increased by over £25 on average compared with last season

Labour promised to deal with this issue 13 years ago, but minister has recently admitted that they don't even hold information on facilities for disabled supporters

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster said:-

"It's shameful that so many Premiership clubs can't be bothered to provide enough spaces for disabled fans. Football clubs are taking disabled fans for granted.
I'm suggesting that, despite the huge demand for disabled spaces, many clubs aren't making any effort to encourage disabled fans into their grounds.
Even for those lucky enough to get a space, ticket prices are rocketing.
The Government prommissed to take action on this issue, but now ministers seem to be happy to ignore football clubs who are refusing to tow the line."

Don Foster

Since receiving this we have approached NADS (National Association of Football Supporters) who have been working on this for some time. They are now working with the Liberal Democrats on this. We hope to have some good news from them in the not to distant future.

John Killick
Secretary DMF

 

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One of our members has recently returned from holiday in Tenerife, a place she frequently visits as her older daughter lives there. She booked the holiday with Accessible Travel who have advertised with us in the past, and who did their usual excellent job, who she highly recomends. She decided, before leaving to book three disability scooters for herself, her husband, and her young disabled daughter. She explains:-

"We were advised by my son in law of a company called 'Street Surfers' based in Las Americas. I contacted them and agreed to pay 400 euros for two weeks and that we would pay on arrival.  Said scooters were delivered to our hotel as arranged. To shorten the tale, 1 scooter had no brakes, 1 had no reverse, and the third didn't want to go more than 100 yards from the door. After repeatedly asking for them to be replaced, I finally told them to remove them altogether and we went to a more reputable company, 'Orange Badge'.  I asked for a refund which they are refusing to pay (My daughter has this in hand). The chap I originally dealt with has left the company because he is sick of the way that they treated people.

Perhaps it would help others, who may be going there, to be aware of this company? There proud boast in thier leaflets states, "All our machines are brand new!" I can prove that this is not so. Hopefully this will act as a warning so that no one else falls into the trap we found ourselves in."

Joan Johnson

 

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As soaring fuel prices continue to hit the headlines, motorists cannot fail to be interested in ways to get the most miles out of every tank of petrol.

Regardless of your choice of vehicle, there are techniques you can use to save fuel and at the same time minimise your impact on the environment. These techniques are part of the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) course, which has delivered eco-benefits through fuel efficiency methods since the IAM was established in 1956.

Ask yourself: "Do I really need to drive?": Short journeys that are generally less than two miles cause the most pollution and are inefficient in terms of fuel consumption. A straining cold engine will produce 60 per cent more pollution than a warm one. Walk or cycle where possible instead.

Plan your route: Take the most direct route and go at off-peak times if possible to save fuel and time. Sitting in congestion means you are often doing zero miles per litre. Consider car sharing, Park and Ride schemes or public transport.

Have your vehicle serviced regularly: Inefficient, under-serviced engines can reduce fuel economy by 10 per cent or more. Catalytic converters are environmentally friendly - but only if they are properly maintained.

Check your tyres: Correct tyre pressures reduce wear and helps fuel economy. Under-inflated tyres need replacing more often (itself an environmental problem) as well as being dangerous. Make a point of checking them at least once a week.

Obey the speed limits: Try to 'feather' the throttle when you reach your cruising speed. Doing 56mph uses 25 per cent less fuel than 70mph and a smoother driving style can bring significant fuel saving.

Reduce the drag factor: Remove roof racks and carriers when they're not in use as well as unnecessary boot luggage and heavy accessories.  Driving with the window open and using air conditioning increases drag and lowers fuel economy, so use the vent settings instead.

Buy green fuel: And use less of it. If you get stuck in traffic, switch off the engine. Find out if you can buy low sulphur diesel (city diesel) or cleaner petrol (low phur/aromatics) locally.

Use "accelerator" sense: Save fuel by planning ahead and reading the traffic in advance to gently join a queue rather than braking suddenly as you hit traffic.  Reverse when you park: The engine will be cold and at its most fuel inefficient when you start it. If you can drive away without having toreverse when the engine is cold, you will save fuel and have better visibility.

Watch your levels: If you fill your fuel tank up to the brim, you may be carrying around additional fuel which in turn means that you have more weight on board than is necessary and this will itself reduce fuel efficiency.

 

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Parking and Traffic Regulations outside London

Traffic Management Act 2004

 

The government have set up a website www.patrol-uk.info/ This website has been set up by 200 local councils to explain the following:-

 

1)                  The list of parking contraventions and the two new penalty charge rates, varying according to the parking contravention.

2)                  Information about what the new Traffic Management Act 2004 will mean for motorists.

3)                  Tips to avoid getting a parking ticket.

4)                  Details of the grounds for challenging a parking ticket and how to go about doing it.

5)                  Links to the parking page of each local council outside London in the Civil Enforcement Scheme.

6)                  Information on the procedure for parking tickets issued before 31^st March 2008, processed under the Road traffic Act 1991.

7)                  Bus Lane Regulations, penalty charges for bus lane contraventions and how to appeal.

8)                  What’s involved if your vehicle is clamped and towed away and the grounds for claiming a refund.

 

We would add that since each council still insists on their own rules, that you pay unless it definitely states that ‘Blue Badge Users Park Free.’ That you use a little common sense when parking away from a marked bay. For instance, how would you feel if you couldn’t cross the road because somebody has parked across the dropped kerb, if you could not receive a delivery to your business because somebody is parked in your loading bay, if you couldn’t proceed along the pavement in your wheelchair because somebody is parked on it. Need I go on, it is not rocket science, just common sense.  

 

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 One of our members has reported a fault in older Techmobility Hoists. It seems that he was lifting his power wheelchair out of the back of his car when the nut that holds the hoist cable between the chair and the hoist arm came adrift. This resulted in the chair dropping back into the boot. Fortunately he had not yet swung it out or the results could have caused a very nasty accident. Although Techmobility came out and did the necessary repairs, he wondered if other members had had similar experiences.

 

I contacted a local Techmobility dealer for advice. Bewick Mobility informed me that this is a potential problem with the older hoists. They safeguard against it by riveting over the end of the bolt once the hoist has been installed and any necessary adjustments made. They did also advise that this should be done by the installer rather than the customer, and that the hoist should be returned to the installer annually for a service and safety checks.

 

This would appear to be sound advice to us. The hoist, according to Bewick Mobility, is one of the best available; they install a lot of them, but, just as your car needs a service, so must the hoist. 

 

 

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This is an Invitation to take part in the GSCC’s survey of people who use domiciliary care services

All ‘domiciliary care workers’ – those paid to come into people’s homes to help with things like washing or dressing - will soon need to register with a government body, the General Social Care Council (GSCC).

To help make sure that registration works as well as possible for people who have care services in their home, the GSCC wants to find out their views about what aspects of registration are important and valuable to them.

If you are:

·        a person who uses domiciliary care services; or

·        a family member or friend who represents someone who uses domiciliary care services…

… we would like to invite you to take part in the GSCC’s survey.

What will the survey involve?

·        An interviewer will arrange to meet you in your home or other suitable place

·        They will ask you about your views of registration of those working in homecare

·        It will last about 15-20 minutes

·        You will be able to have a friend or family member with you, if you would like to do so

·        You will receive a £10 gift voucher to thank you for your contribution

All participation will be strictly confidential. Your name will not be linked with any of the information you give, and your details will not be passed on to anyone else.

If you would like to take part in this survey, please let Stephen Hodgkins at the GSCC know on

Email: stephen.hodgkins@gscc.org.uk  Tel: 07951050153

The GSCC will place your details on a list and participants will be selected at random and called by a researcher working for the GSCC to find a suitable time for you to take part in the survey.

The GSCC would hope to speak to everybody who agrees to take part but due to the timescales it may not be possible to interview everybody.

Thank you in advance for taking part in this research.

Yours sincerely

Lisa Watch

Head of External Affairs

General Social Care Council

Goldings House

2 Hay's Lane

London SE1 2HB

www.gscc.org.uk

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In February's edition of Mobilise we noticed a question on VAT exemption on new adapted vehicles. It seems that somebody had been told by his dealership, that it is no problem supplying a modified vehicle with VAT exemption, but that they could not organise the finance. It seems that HM Customs and Excise are very keen on this at present. Basically what both Mobilise and the dealer were saying is that if they sell the vehicle to a hire purchase company then they are not selling it to the qualified person. Sounds daft, but we agree; it is all legal speak to make life difficult for all.
  
  We then had a word with Derek Hanneh of Southern Finance tel. 01427 875820. He tells us that his company are already up to speed with this, and that if you give him a bell he will explain all. 

 

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Driving Dynamics

One of the main reasons for accidents during the icy and snowy weather is the lack of training on what to do in the event of a skid.  Driving Dynamics are offering training in their fully adapted vehicle.  The car is a specially adapted Renault Megane, equipped with the very latest computerised system.  At the flick of a switch the car transforms from a road vehicle into a state of the art skid car.  It has dual controls and can be used by disabled drivers by prior arrangement.

Venues

They have various venues from which they operate butb their biggest strength is the fact that they are mobile.  They could even bring the vehicle to you.  The car can be used on any tarmac or concrete surface, provided the area is large enough.  It causes no damage and leaves no signs of use; it has even been used on a drill square without any adverse effects to the area.  All they need is a empty car park, old airfield or similar smooth surface.

The Cost

As stated previously they are strongly committed to raising driving standards and thoroughly enjoy working with the I.A.M and Motorist Organisations.  They have various options as shown below:

You can travel to their premises at Heeley Mills, Horbury Bridge, Wakefield for a cost of £39 per head.  There is no minimum number required for this.
Alternatively, you could hire the venue, car and instructors for the full day, accommodating up to 21 people for a cost of £650 + VAT (approx £764).
They could also bring the car to you at a cost of £600 per day + VAT (approx £705).  You get the use of the car plus two instructors and as in option 1, they can accommodate up to 21 people, acost of £28.50 plus VAT per person (approx £34).  For more people they can include an extra instructor at a further cost.

Hartlepool IAM are taking them up on the offer and have obtained a free of charge local authority car park for use on the day.

Any bookings made for February would include family members (subject to them holding a valid driving licence), as well as IAM / Motorclub members on any of these days.

If you need to further information then contact:
Sue Proctor
Company Director
Tel:  01484 607851
Website

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This one is pretty slick since they provide Y O U with all the information, except the one piece they want.
Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.

One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "MasterCard".

The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank) did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for £497.99 from a Marketing company based in London?" When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from £297 to £497, just under the £500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?"

You say "yes". The caller continues - "I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 0800 number listed on the back of your card (0800-VISA) and ask for Security.

You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"

Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works the caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card." He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers." There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say, "No," the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.

You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of £497.99 was charged to our card.

Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or MasterCard directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening .

Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each other, we protect each other.

 

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 Additional EU Tax on Mobility Scooters

By John Killick (Hon. Sec. DMF)

 This is something that showed it’s head at a meeting of the Northeast DMC back in June. One of the members had picked up something in a newspaper and asked me for verification. I have looked into this and feel that it is something that could affect a lot of disabled people. Basically, the Harmonized System Committee of the World Customs Organization is afraid that disability scooters made in the Far East and in China in particular, are being made using cheap labour, thus allowing them to be sold on the world market at unfair prices. To put a stop to this abuse they have requested that the EU place an import tax on the said scooters of 10% per unit. If made law this would obviously grossly affect the cheaper end of the scooter market. I contacted Fiona Hall, a Lib Dem MEP who happens to be on the correct committee ‘Fiona submitted a written question on this matter to the Commission in June. Just before we went to press I received the following reply:-

 Answer given by Mr Kovács on behalf of the Commission (10.8.2007)

“The classification of mobility scooters has been discussed both at international level and within the EU. ‘Mobility scooters’ are not only for use by disabled persons but also by mobile persons wishing more comfort in their daily life; for example because they do not, or cannot, walk for long distances. (So what is his definition of a disabled person?Editor)

In November 2000, the Harmonized System Committee of the World Customs Organization classified mobility scooters as vehicles designed for the transport of persons under heading 8703.10. In January 2005, this classification was confirmed at Community level by the publication of explanatory notes to the Combined Nomenclature 1 .

Within the Community, this classification implies that mobility scooters imported from third Countries are subject to a 10 % rate of customs duty.  The Commission is aware that this duty has an impact on the cost of mobility scooters used by disabled users.  However it should be pointed out that this duty only concerns imported scooters, and that the customs classification is based on criteria other than the applicable duty rates.  Moreover the duty is paid on the basis of the import price and not on the basis of the resale price and, therefore, any impact on the final price would be far below 10 %. For the above reasons, the Commission does not intend suggesting a reclassification of mobility scooters in the EU tariff.”

Mark Oaten of the Lib Dems then sent in a written question on the subject. He received the following reply:-  “John Healey (Financial Secretary, HM Treasury) Import duties are established by the European Commission and European Community law imposes obligations on member states to ensure that the correct amount of import duty is collected within the prescribed time period.”

Ok, I suppose things could be worse, rumours have run rife, but at the end of the day we can all expect to have to pay extra for our mobility scooters if manufactured outside the EU, and, surprise surprise,  we can forget ever getting any help from the present government! Thanks Lib Dems for your assistance on this matter. 

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By John Killick

 I don’t know about you, but I thought that under the new access laws, all new public buildings, and those that have been renovated, must have access for disabled people. As I read it! I did not see anything that said ‘except railway stations and public houses’! That all shop car parks should have a percentage of all disabled car park spaces nearest the door, not all those except Tesco at Wrexham! May I enlarge on my complaint? 

Railway Stations:- A brand new platform costing five and a half million has been added to a station at Newport in Wales recently. When asked, according to a report in the September/October edition of ‘Able’, about how come there is no disabled access, the reply from Network Rail is that it will be added in 2010 in time for the Ryder Cup. From this, I suppose, I am not intended to read, “Rich Golfers are more important to Network Rail than disabled people”! I must also not suppose that they are also more important to Newport Planning Dept! Why? Well, all planning applications have to go before the local planning department. How come they passed it without ensuring disabled access? Come on gentlemen, who do you think you are fooling? Obviously not ‘Able’, and equally, you are not fooling us. Since I have no reason for supposing that the people of Newport are any more stupid than we are, I can only suppose that you are not fooling them either! Stop trying to be clever, put the darned access in now, it won’t cost any more, and admitting that you got it wrong might even get you some votes at the next local election.

 The Public House; have a look at the Britannia in Cleadon Village, Tyne and Wear. At the end of last year it was re-opened after extensive refurbishment. Before it was refurbished my wife and I enjoyed many a good meal there. The old door to the restaurant has now been turned into a fire door leaving no disabled access. The renovations were planned by a consultancy from Liverpool, who are now getting the blame from South Tyneside Planning department for the problem. They are, of course, blaming the planning department. In the meantime the manager, who is stuck with the problem, asks disabled people to go to the front door and somebody will come up and open the fire doors. I feel sorry for the manager, who’s fault it aint! One day somebody from one of those much less understanding disabled organisations are going to arrive at his door and become extremely unhappy!!!!

 The Car Park:- It seems that somebody at Tesco’s in Wrexham feels that ordinary customers take precedence over disabled customers as far as distance from the door is concerned. They have moved the disabled parking away from the doors of their store in Wrexham. A spokesman from Tesco told a local newspaper that he is sorry for the inconvenience to disabled customers (Then why not put them back?). A disabled Tesco customer, one of our members, rang Tesco’s to be told that ‘They had followed Health and Safety guidelines’ and that ‘they were only obliged to provide designated bays for disabled customers and that it didn’t matter where they were placed.’ I don’t know which set of rules this person had read, but it differs from every other copy in the country. Well, I know what I think all you disabled Tesco customers of Wrexham should do. If by now this hasn’t been corrected, there just has to be another supermarket you can use belonging to one of Tesco’s competitors in the area, Switch Supermarkets! Meanwhile Tesco, I hope that the incompetent idiot that came up with this one is no longer working for you, or has been sent for basic literacy lessons! 

 

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Ask yourself, how many times have you seen women put their handbags on the hook at the rear of a shopping trolley?    Think about it, it happens all the time yet women still do it and run the risk of having their handbags stolen.

 

Just the other day I heard of an instance where this had happened.  The bag was on the hook whilst the person was shopping in an Asda store.  When they turned away for an instant for some tomatoes and looked back the bag had gone.  It had taken literally seconds for this to happen but the knock on effect from this crime is immense.

 

Taken along with the bag were the owner’s purse and personal belongings.  There was a considerable amount of money in the purse at the time along with personal photographs that can never be replaced as well as debit card/cashpoint cards, bus pass and savings cards.  The money was claimed on the insurance so that was not such a big issue and the cards were easily replaced, however, the photographs were of great sentimental value as they were of the person’s husband that had passed away.  Fortunately the keys for the person’s house were not in the bag so the locks did not have to be changed.  Also, the staff in the store were very helpful and rang the banks concerned to stop the cards.  This turned out to be fortuitous as the thieves tried to use the cards in a cashpoint within 15 minutes of the theft.  The other concern was that the thieves may have tried to use the debit card on the internet.  However the ordeal of this caused the person concerned a great deal of stress and anxiety.

 

If you are a woman going shopping in a supermarket and are taking your handbag with you then ask yourselves some basic questions:

• do I need to take my handbag with me or can I leave it securely locked up in the car and just take my debit card with me to pay for the groceries etc.
• do I need to hang my handbag on the trolley hook.
• do I need a large amount of money in the handbag.
• have I fastened the top of the handbag to stop people trying to steal the purse from within it.

 Even if you take a shopping bag and you have your handbag inside, it is a good idea to fasten it securely.

 

Police have said that this kind of opportunist theft is on the increase owing to people just not being aware of the risk whilst out shopping.  They have also stated that a large amount of people carry their PIN numbers around with them on a piece of paper in the purse, this allows thieves to access their bank accounts and sometimes clean them out.

So, in the future, think before leaving you handbag/shopping bag unattended on a trolley.

 

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Today we launch new research that shows that carers are having to sell their homes, cut back on food, heating and clothes, give up their jobs, and sacrifice their pensions - leaving many deeply worried about their financial future.

Carers UK wants to see a radical overhaul of the benefits and tax system and are calling for improved investment in social care. We think the new National Strategy for Carers is a golden opportunity for Government to get this right and deliver the deal carers deserve.

We need Government to know, in no uncertain terms, that this issue has the backing of the public. We are urging carers, their friends, colleagues and families to sign up to our new campaign, Real change, not short change, to ease the constant financial pressure carers face.

Imelda Redmond
Chief Executive

New research from Carers UK shows almost three-quarters of people are financially worse off since becoming a carer. This is in stark contrast to the £57 billion contribution carers make to the economy each year. You can help by pledging your support for our campaign. Complete the form on our website and Carers UK will deliver your message to Gordon Brown.

www.carersuk.org/Newsandcampaigns/Shortchanged/TellGordonBrown

Meet Don Jones

"My name is Don Jones and I care for my sister Sheila. I didn't realise quite what a devastating impact being a carer would have on my life. I'd had a good wage as an engineer for Aerospace and suddenly I was living on benefits. I knew carers could claim an allowance but I had no idea it would be just £48 per week. Frankly it's insulting."

www.carersuk.org/Newsandcampaigns/Shortchanged/MeetDonJones

The research

3000 carers completed our survey, giving Carers UK a detailed picture of how caring affects their finances. The report is called Real change not short change and reveals very clearly that the current benefits system doesn't allow carers an acceptable standard of living and doesn't recognise or value them for the contribution they make to the national economy.

www.carersuk.org/Newsandcampaigns/Shortchanged/CampaignFAQ

Join us

If you're a carer or former carer remember that Carers UK offers free membership. Yes, free membership because we know that carers have many calls on their finances. Of course, if you can afford to make a donation it does help the charity. Income from membership helps us provide free information to carers, support our campaigns and keep the organisation running.

You can join and make a donation using our secure site operated by justgiving.com.

http://dotm1.net/t.aspx?l=443235&i=120910539

Help us spread the word about this campaign and forward this to a friend:
http://dotm1.net/f.asp?i=120910539&UserID=22GDJDJGFGCBBE34&EmMailerKeywords=notrack

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An Interview with Brian Burns
By John Killick

Bewick Mobility is a small company hidden away at the back of the pretty little town of Prudhoe on the South side of the River Tyne between Gateshead and Hexham. A few months ago they had fitted a hoist to the back of one of the club members vans. They had seemed pleased with the job so I had arranged to go up for a word. We met in Brian’s kitchen, minus ceiling; one of his sons had forgotten to turn the bath water off!!!

 

Being original, my first question was, “What does Bewick Mobility do?”

“We convert the vehicle of your choice to make it practical for a person in your condition to drive it.” Makes sense. “Since I am a qualified assessor and driving instructor, I can also  do the assessment of your needs, and teach you how to use your new hand control vehicle, if that is what you need. This is very important since hand controls can vary a lot in price, dependent on your personal needs, and can be quite difficult to get used to. We also do basic driving courses on our own converted vehicle, using the equipment that we are fitting to your  vehicle when you get it. So you can try before you buy”

 

“We normally advise people to go to an assessment centre.”

“Yes, I worked for eight years at the Newcastle Assessment Centre. The problem is that you have to get there. Leeds, Edinburgh and Wrightington are the only other assessment centres in the North. That usually means you have your driving assessment on a unfamiliar road. How would you like your driving assessed in a strange and very busy town centre in a strange car, when your driving licence could depend on your performance? I come to your home and spend half a day with you. I take you out in a dual controlled car fitted with various hand controls, switches and steering aids, even with a left hand accelerator if required. Once you have been assessed for the most appropriate method of control, you have a period of tuition and familiarisation with the new method, on quiet roads that you know.  The next session is a more formal driving assessment on familiar roads. You are assessed on your ability to deal with town centre driving, roundabout lane discipline, road positioning, and high speed rural roads etc. Afterwards I will write a comprehensive and detailed report on how you have done, and what adaptations you have used. Within a few days I send you 4 copies of the report, you send a copy to the DVLA, your doctor or consultant, and your insurance company. This keeps everything above-board and ensures that you have the correct adaptation code on your licence.”

 

“What if somebody has had a stroke, their judgement has been affected and you don’t think they are safe to drive?”

“On the rare occasion that this happens it’s usually quite obvious to the client that they are not safe to drive and they are grateful that they have had the chance to try. There is nothing worse than being told that you cannot drive when you think you can. On a positive note many people who have had a stroke and been left with, say, a right side deficit, have successfully returned to driving an automatic car using a left foot accelerator and a left hand steering aid with infra red secondary controls.” 

 

“So, lets suppose that I have the funding, I don’t see a workshop, where will you fit the car up?”

“We have a large van, normally operated by my technician, fully fitted as a workshop, with all the necessary equipment. We normally either do the work at the dealers where you are buying the car, or at your home. If required we can even supply an electric folding wheelchair  modified to fit a rooftop hoist or a scooter and hoist for the boot.”

 

“Lucky old Northeast to have you!  How far will you travel for a customer?”

“We regularly travel to the Lake District and the Scottish borders, and don’t mind going well down into Yorkshire. We often stay overnight in a Travel Lodge if we cannot complete the work in one day. Now that we have our website (www.bewickmobility.co.uk) we get enquiries from all over the country and I give a lot of advice over the phone.”

   

         OK, so there you have what Bewick Mobility do in a nutshell. This is the first company I have heard of that will give you this sort of very experienced personal service. I am sure there are others, if you

know of them please tell us about them, then we can pass the information on to those who live in your area. If you would like to talk to Brian Burns about your mobility problems then please give him a bell on 0870 241 3371. Yes, this sort of service does cost money, but as they say, “You can’t take it with you!” If you are getting the right solution to your problem first time, then at the sort of prices this equipment costs, it wont take long before you will find that this answer is economical too.

Webpage

 

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Recently I had a phone call by a very upset disabled person looking for a lawyer. He has received his third speeding summons on his licence. The first thing he said to me was, “I have been picked on by the police!” No he hasn’t. It is your driving licence, lose it in this way and you will probably end up grounded and at home without any transport. In all likelihood, once the ban is over you will find that you have also been blacklisted by Motability. So, why are some disabled people so stupid?  

          That policeman who booked you for speeding probably had to tell somebody last week that a speeding driver was the reason that their child was killed, he hasn’t got a lot of patience for you. The first fine is a warning; he hopes it will convince you to use a bit of common sense in future. What happens, a day or two later he spots you doing the same thing again. What on earth do you think he is going to do?  

          Please remember, the police would very much like to be doing something else than trying to teach you responsibility, it is your licence, your transport, your means of getting out of the house, and your speed.
J. Killick

 

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The Department of Transport is to consider easing driving restrictions on people with type 2 diabetes.

Government scientists found some people with the condition pose less of a danger on the roads than was thought.

People who inject insulin to control their blood sugar level are banned from holding a Group 2 licence, which includes lorries and buses.  This is because a fall in blood sugar can affect eyesight and speed of thought and reaction.

We plan to get the research peer-reviewed to check the validity of the findings as there are potentially serious implications for driving licence entitlement

Stephen Ladyman

In the most severe cases, it can cause a black out.

The latest research found that, in the short term, people who used insulin injections to control their blood sugar levels were no more likely to suffer problems than people with type 2 diabetes who use tablets to control their condition.

However, once insulin injections were used over a longer period the frequency of problems began to rise.

Checks required

Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman said the government would review the research before considering a change to the law.

He said: "This is interesting research which we will need to consider carefully.

"We plan to get the research peer-reviewed to check the validity of the findings as there are potentially serious implications for driving licence entitlement.

"As a result of that review, we will assess whether any changes to licence restrictions may be necessary."

The charity Diabetes UK said it was opposed to a blanket ban on all people who used insulin injections.

A spokesman said it was hoped that the latest research would lead to a new system, where people who used insulin injections were assessed on a regular basis to determine their fitness to drive.

The spokesman said: "Diabetes UK will be monitoring this situation closely and will be working with the Department for Transport to ensure a fair deal for people with diabetes."

The results of the research will be considered by the Secretary of State's Medical Advisory Panel on Diabetes and Driving.

A European Commission medical expert group, which has been considering the minimum medical standards for diabetes and driving, is also due to report shortly.

The UK expert group is likely to wait for the results of this investigation before making any recommendation.

 

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Please remember that when purchasing expensive pieces of equipment like bath hoists or scooters, to get at least two quotes. Check those quotes before signing anything, no matter how persistent the salesman. It may appear to be a bargain until you check the details. Make sure, for instance, that the company employs engineers at the base you purchased it from, not in another part of the country, or not at all. Failure to do this can leave you with a piece of equipment that breaks down just as the warranty runs out, leaving you with the task of finding somebody who is prepared to repair it. The other favourite is, “Oh yes, but I am afraid you will have to get it to our repair shop at your expense.” No prizes for guessing where that will be? 

Recently I heard of somebody that signed the agreement for the purchase of an electric scooter for her husband, from one of the big national cut price companies, at what appeared to be a bargain price. Unfortunately her husband died shortly afterwards; that company would not take it back, in spite of the fact that he hadn’t even used it, the bank wanted its money, she has no alternative but to pay for something for which she has no use. Perhaps, had she applied to a company like Southern Finance, things could have been different.

 The second story concerns a company called Care-Knight. The writers letter follows:-

 My mother is disabled with arthritis and one day in the spring of this year got stuck in the bath and my father could not help her. She is 82 and he is 84. He called an ambulance but fortunately he was able to lever her out before the ambulance arrived. Nevertheless, they were embarrassed and fearful that it might happen again. Unfortunately, the local social services did not think my mother was sufficiently disabled to be eligible for the provision of a bath lift. They merely offered a bath seat, which meant that my mother could not have the soaking baths, which she had enjoyed all her life.

 In a magazine, they saw an advertisement for a firm called Bath-Knight, a part of Care-Knight which sold bath lifts. They filled in a coupon, sent it off and one of the firm’s female representatives called round and sold my father a bath lift for my mother. This was delivered, my father put the Aquatec Beluga bath chair in the bath and my mother was able to have again the baths she loves.

 So, what is the problem? The problems are these. The coupon method means that prospective customers have invited the seller into their home and therefore have fewer and weaker rights to subsequently repudiate the deal if they change their minds. Care-Knight do not advertise their prices in their Magazine or Web advertisements whilst claiming to offer a service. The prices are very high indeed. Currently, on the World Wide Web it is possible to find the product sold to my father for around £400.00. My Father paid that amount as a deposit and then was invited to finance the rest over two years. This would have meant that he would paid, in total, including the cost of the finance, a whopping £1200. My father baulked at this cost and offered to pay cash. He was given a discount, which meant he paid £995.00. Moreover, Care-Knight only sell one model out of the Aquatec range, which lifts up to 21 stone. My mother could have easily used the next model down in this range, which is cheaper, as she is nothing like this huge weight. This alleged service, then, did not offer what was appropriate.

 I was outraged that my father had been charged so much. A premium over the inter-net price is acceptable, but not twice the price. I complained to Care-Knight and a long correspondence ensued in which I asked for a £500.00 refund. The only thing that was agreed between Care-Knight and myself, was that I would refer the matter for arbitration to the trade association to which they belonged, the British Health Care Trade Association. The practice of inducing people to buy by offering a discount on an already inflated price is against the code of the BHTA. I did complain but my complaint made no progress as Care-Knight left the trade association shortly afterwards.

In August, 2005 Care-Knight had pleaded guilty in West London Magistrates Court to a breach of the Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts concluded away from Business Premises) Regulations 1987. Care-Knight had refused to refund the payment of £2995 for an electric scooter when the disabled purchaser had changed her mind two days later. It was not, she was told, company policy to give refunds. Care-Knight was fined £750 with £1718 costs.

Footnote by the Hon Sec:
The writer does not wish to pursue this matter as he feels rather stupid for having agreed to the deal in the first place, however, the writer does wish to warn other elderly and disabled people about this sort of practice. So do we. No matter how persistent the sales rep. do not sign until you have had time to reflect. If they suddenly drop the price because you are being difficult, then definitely don’t sign anything until you have had a word with a couple of other companies.
One in my area was offering us new eaves boards for our house. They finally dropped the price from £1200 to £750. My son-in-law checked the price of the eaves boards and found out that this company was trying to charge me all that money for a two hour job, the materials costing just £50. See what I mean? 

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It is great to see that some Super markets can do the right thing!

 

A copy of an e-mail received after advising Disabled Lib. Dems.  To be very careful when approaching a ‘Blue Bay’  abuser.

 

A complete re-issue of the advice I suggested myself in reply to our member, but a little more positive in respect of action taken by store security and Management staff [Tesco Chelmsford]

 

Offenders are moved on, CCTV is in operation recording and being monitored by staff, and if a situation appears to be developing involving a customer with disabilities, a Security Officer/Manager attends.

 

Recently all the wheelchair lock on trolleys were replaced with a new design which due to my size I could not use - solution was store manager retained one of the old versions for myself and anyone else's use with a similar oversize problem.  Over a  three month period it has always been available to me, twice a week when I shop, something I enjoy, and is also a form of therapy.  My shopping is always packed for me at the till, and there are always happy employees to greet me each time, and  members of the public frequently ask if I need help loading the shopping into the car boot, and finally [very cheekily] I use a Tesco wheelchair when I shop, so that I do not have to get mine out of the car, only I must add, if there are more than two out of a total of six wheelchairs available for use  by other customers that need to use one. Moral of this true and real time experience, is to treat others as you wish to be treated yourself, and do not always be on the defensive and cause problems - it works, I am living proof that it does - life is sweeter for it to. [I have other examples of retail shops giving true help in Chelmsford].

 

Best wishes and happy shopping. 

John Masek

 Liberal Democrats Disabled Association, East of England Region Representative

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Their New Traveller System

 Traveller:- Over 25 years ago Elap conceived the Traveller Transfer System but due to continued and increasing demand for their main range of rotating seat only now have they been able to dedicate the time necessary to produce this world class product. The Traveller Transfer System compliments the original rotating car seat by providing access and egress to those people that are unable or find it difficult to transfer from their wheelchair. Clearly the Traveller system can also be used as a standard rotating car seat when not utilising the wheelchair base unit.

Elap are exhibiting this year on the Vauxhall stand. The Traveller will be on display there. July 19/20/21st July at Kemble Mobility Road Show. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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